draw a consistently thin pencil line

[Iwood75]

Here's an old architect's trick I learned looong ago. You know how, when you draw a long pencil line, the point flattens and the line thickens as you go? Well, to keep it thin – consistently thin – start with a sharp point, lean the pencil slightly and keep it sharp by "rolling" the pencil between your thumb and fingers as you draw. I've passed this tip forward to my design students and young assistants over the years and most tell me they're hooked on the habit. After just a few practice runs you'll have it mastered. Hope you like it. 
Enjoy.  Joel

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks Joel.  I believe Tom Bellemare had posted about that too.  That goofy pencil thread we did earlier this year.  Tips always appreciated, Joel!  [smile]

 

[Kev]

I know about this trick, but I still seem to have a fundamental block in doing it right [sad]

 

[Davelaar]

I don't use normal pencils.
I use for many years a  "Mechanical pencil", once you get used to not to push to hard like with a normal pencil, they are great.
They come in different thickness, and hardness for the lead fillings.
Just keep a few boxes of refills in your toolbox and your ready to go.

Like these Mechanical pensils: http://staedtler.com/Mars_micro_gb#ctl07_Tab-product-tab-1

David Davelaar

 

[Sparktrician]

Like Dave, I use mechanical pencils with the 0.9 mm leads.  I found that the 0.5 mm leads broke when I looked at them, but the 0.9 mm leads are far sturdier.  The ones I use are made by Pentel and are available from Office Depot.  They work especially well with the Woodpeckers T-Squares. 

[smile]

 

[woodguy7]

I really like using mechanical pencils but go through a lot of lead but then again it is a .5 I'm using.  Don't think I have ever seen a .9 ?

One big problem I have with mechanical pencils is the lead pushing back up inside, really frustrating.  I put it down to them possibly being cheaper pencils but they bought one for £12 & eventually it did the same !

What do you guys recommend to be the best ones out there ?

Cheers, Woodguy.

 

[Sparktrician]

I really like using mechanical pencils but go through a lot of lead but then again it is a .5 I'm using.  Don't think I have ever seen a .9 ?

One big problem I have with mechanical pencils is the lead pushing back up inside, really frustrating.  I put it down to them possibly being cheaper pencils but they bought one for £12 & eventually it did the same !

What do you guys recommend to be the best ones out there ?

Cheers, Woodguy.

 

I've never had that happen with Pentel pencils, regardless of lead thickness.  See if you can find them in your part of the world. 

[smile]

 

[Jonhilgen]

I use the cheapo bic .5 mechanical pencils, and the lead never pushes back up.  I did find some bic .9 pencils and loved the added thickness of the lead, but for some reason the lead on those pencils would push back in with little pressure applied.

Mechanical pencils are the way to go, no standing around chewing the fat while sharpening a pencil.  Waste of time

Jon

 

[Brice Burrell]

My drawing pencil always stays sharp, but that because it's on Sketchup. [blink]  Please guys, not another boring pencil thread. [tongue]

 

[GhostFist]

Oh it's happening! bought this guy from the valley recently....... www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=45504&cat=1,42936,43509&ap=1

took off the normal pencil attachment for this weird thing........ www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=66879&cat=1,42936
and now i never lose the sucker.
the sharpener is on the end of the pencil itself and produces a very fine point. the leads are sturdy enough for marking rough lumber and can be sharpened fine enough for precision work. Expensive but worth it.

 

[Guy Ashley]

I really like using mechanical pencils but go through a lot of lead but then again it is a .5 I'm using.  Don't think I have ever seen a .9 ?

One big problem I have with mechanical pencils is the lead pushing back up inside, really frustrating.  I put it down to them possibly being cheaper pencils but they bought one for £12 & eventually it did the same !

What do you guys recommend to be the best ones out there ?
Cheers, Woodguy.

Here you go Alan, this is the "best one" out there  [tongue]

http://www.wheelersluxurygifts.com/shop/item/512/2834/mechanical-pencil---starwalker-resin-platinum-plated/?utm_source=google-base&utm_medium=google-base&utm_campaign=google-base

My drawing pencil always stays sharp, but that because it's on Sketchup. [blink]  Please guys, not another boring pencil thread. [tongue]

Boring maybe, but no chance of it being termed risque!!

 

[RONWEN]

Here's an old architect's trick I learned looong ago. You know how, when you draw a long pencil line, the point flattens and the line thickens as you go? Well, to keep it thin – consistently thin – start with a sharp point, lean the pencil slightly and keep it sharp by "rolling" the pencil between your thumb and fingers as you draw. I've passed this tip forward to my design students and young assistants over the years and most tell me they're hooked on the habit. After just a few practice runs you'll have it mastered. Hope you like it.  
Enjoy.  Joel

I was taught my drafting techniques back before CAD and even before Pentel pencils -- we learned the "rolling" technique which stuck with me right up to Pentels and then CAD.
Another technique especially with compass leads is to form a chisel shaped point using a draftsman's sanding block.  
http://www.amazon.com/Chartpak-Products-architectural-triangular-protractor/dp/B004E3O3W0

Gee, I even found a slide rule (I still have a few in my desk).  [smile]  
http://www.amazon.com/ThinkGeek-Slide-Ruler/dp/B003M5B84C/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1323614969&sr=1-1

 

[mouppe]

I only use mechanical pencils these days. I have 0.3mm, 0.5mm, and 0.7mm. (I also have a Mont Blanc, but it rarely sees the light in the workshop!)

Usually if the lead is being pushed back into the pencil, it means there is graphite dust preventing the collar from going all the way down (inside the pencil end). Unscrew the metal end of the pencil, blow off any dust form the brass mechanism and rescrew.

 

[Paint and Hammer]

Funny reading this thread. I too took a drafting course many moons ago and this technique is something I unconsciously do all the time. Even writing with the pencil I tend to roll and change my angle in efforts not to flatten a side.

Being a pencil-behind-the-ear-guy the mechanical ones are either to heavy or too thick. (plus I'd loose mine in a heartbeat)

I use these tape measures as they have a built in pencil sharpener....and measurements on both sides.  http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=112&idcategory=0

 

[GhostFist]

you lot may laugh at the pencil tether thingy, but the bastard saves a lot of time. it,s always there when you need it and you wont lose your $30 pencil. [big grin]

 

[andvari]

I really like using mechanical pencils but go through a lot of lead but then again it is a .5 I'm using.  Don't think I have ever seen a .9 ?

One big problem I have with mechanical pencils is the lead pushing back up inside, really frustrating.  I put it down to them possibly being cheaper pencils but they bought one for £12 & eventually it did the same !

What do you guys recommend to be the best ones out there ?

Cheers, Woodguy.

Here are 2 that I like:

Pentel Sharp Kerry
Pentel Graph Gear 1000

Around $15 ea on Amazon. I normally get 0.5 mm lead dia because it fits in the Incra rules I have. The Graph gear 1000 is retractable and the Kerry has a cap. Being able to cover the point prevents stabbing yourself while putting them in your pocket or destroying the tip if you drop it.

 

[Davelaar]

[scared] 15,- Usd. You need a cheaper pencil supplyer

STAEDTLER Mars micro = around € 3,50 or 5 Euro. Or in Usd $4,68 or 6,69Usd.
These have a rejectable point also.
A box of 12 refills cost here 0.66 Euro cent.

Ah ok i see you have a aluminium version of the Pentel.
There is also the cheaper plastic Pentel PG305 and those cost 2,68 Euro.

But i love the weight of the Staedtler more.
Its also plastic but feels like a aluminium version.

Haha a pencil topic  ;D

 

[andvari]

[scared] 15,- Usd. You need a cheaper pencil supplyer

STAEDTLER Mars micro = around € 3,50 or 5 Euro. Or in Usd $4,68 or 6,69Usd.
These have a rejectable point also.
A box of 12 refills cost here 0.66 Euro cent.

Ah ok i see you have a aluminium version of the Pentel.
There is also the cheaper plastic Pentel PG305 and those cost 2,68 Euro.

But i love the weight of the Staedtler more.
Its also plastic but feels like a aluminium version.

Haha a pencil topic  ;D

I have several cheaper mechanical pencils, much like the cheaper routers I had before I bought my OF1400 - the question was which are the best.

 

[Steve R]

I use a metal scribe it is sharper then any pencil. But I still roll it if I have to make a long mark... a hold over from drafting classes 30+years ago.

With the right Festool set up I don't make a line. I make a point mark.... and it works better. My MFT is Square as is my Kapex...  I just need length mark not a line to square stuff up to....

If I owned other brands I would need the line but not with Festool!!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[SteveC]

I have used the yellow/gold Pentel .9 for years. The only time the graphite pushes back is when it's down to 1/2" long.